An Efficient and Facile Synthesis of Quinoxaline Derivatives Catalyzed by KHSO4 at Room Temperature

Summary. A facile synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives catalyzed by KHSO₄ in very high yields at room temperature is reported.     

Selective Acetylation of Alcohols and Amines with Ethyl Acetate in the Presence of H<Subscript>6</Subscript>[PMo<Subscript>9</Subscript>V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>] as the Catalyst

Summary. Acetylation of various alcohols and benzyl amine was tested in the presence of H₆[PMo₉V₃O₄₀], a mixed addenda heteropolyacid, in ethyl acetate under reflux condition. Phenols and anilines are not affected under the reaction conditions. Selective transestrification of alcohols can be achieved in the presence of phenol and aniline derivatives using this method.     

SURFACE-ENHANCED RESONANCE RAMAN SCATTERING SPECTROSCOPY AS A SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY PROBE IN PLANT PHOTOSYNTHETIC MEMBRANES

Strong resonance Raman (RR) and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) signals from carotenoids were detected from thylakoid (stromal-side out) vesicles and inside-out (lumenal-side out) vesicles isolated from spinach chloroplasts. The intensity of the signals from both types of membranes was comparable, indicating that plant carotenoids are exposed on or close to both surfaces or sides of the thylakoid membrane. This is in contrast to previous studies with bacterial photosynthetic membranes (Picorel et al., 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263 , 4374–4380; and 1990, Biochemistry 29 , 707–712) that show carotenoids selectively located on the cytoplasmic side. In addition_; strong RR and SERRS signals were detected from stacked and unstacked photosystem-II-enriched membrane fragments, demonstrating that carotenoids are also exposed on both surfaces of the appressed region of the thylakoid membrane. Antibodies against the photosystem (PS) II extrinsic proteins blocked SERRS signals from stacked PS II membrane fragments, but only partially affected the SERRS signals from unstacked membranes. The results indicate that these antibodies, which preferentially cover the surface of the original lumenalside of the appressed region, act as spacers between the membrane and SERRS electrode surfaces. The original stromal-side of the appressed region is unaffected. These findings verify the distance sensitivity of the SERRS technique and underscore the above conclusion about the location of carotenoids in the appressed regions. Finally, SERRS signals are sensitive to membrane aging and storage temperature; caution is suggested to those applying SERRS spectroscopy to intact membrane systems.     

Interval Ostrowski-type methods with guaranteed convergence

In this paper, interval extensions of the classic Ostrowski and its modified method are introduced. Also, error analysis and convergence will be discussed. Some implemented examples with INTLAB are also included to illustrate the validity and applicability of the schemes. The results of proposed methods are compared with the results of the interval Newton method.     

Preparation and characterization of new inorganic–organic hybrid catalyst H3PMo12O40/Hyd‐SBA‐15 and its application in the domino multi‐component reaction

We present novel inorganic–organic hybrid catalyst to accomplish domino multi‐component reaction (MCR) for synthesis of 3‐amino‐2′‐oxospiro[benzo[c]pyrano[3,2‐a]phenazine‐1,3′‐indoline]‐2‐carbonitrile/carboxylate derivatives. This methodology offers remarkable development by easy production of H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀/Hyd‐SBA‐15 in regard to solving the problem of using harsh catalysts, also it demonstrates to be impressive and environmentally friendly in term of low reaction times and high yields.     

Synergetic catalytic effect of rGO,Pd, Fe3O4 and PPy as a magnetically separable and recyclable nanocomposite for coupling reactions in green media

In this paper, rGO/Pd–Fe₃O₄@PPy as an efficient stable nanocomposite was synthesized. To understand the synergetic effects of rGO, Pd, Fe₃O₄ and PolyPyrrole, the performance of rGO/Pd–Fe₃O₄@PPy as a heterogeneous recyclable nanocatalyst in the green synthesis of C‐C and C‐O coupling products, as well as different conditions are studied. Synthesized rGO/Pd–Fe₃O₄@PPy was characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, FE‐SEM, EDS, TGA and AFM analysis. Best results are obtained under sonication in H₂O for C‐C coupling and by ball‐milling for C‐O coupling. The benefits of this method include: green solvents and conditions, absence of external base, low reaction times with high yield and easy work‐up method.     

Solvent‐Free Chemoselective Synthesis of 1,1‐Diacetates Catalyzed by Cu(NO3)2 · 3H2O

1,1‐Diacetates have been synthesized by the reaction of a variety of aldehydes with acetic anhydride in the presence of cupric nitrate as catalyst under solvent‐free conditions. Ketones were not converted to the corresponding diacetates under these conditions.     

Influence of oxygen flow rate on the surface chemistry and morphology of radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtered zinc oxide thin films

Zinc oxide thin films were deposited, by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, on heated and unheated substrates. The oxygen flow rate was varied during deposition, and its effects on the structural and chemical properties of the films were investigated. The films had oriented c‐axis growth with nano‐crystallite size. Their surfaces manifested columnar microstructure, with a surface roughness that was suppressed by the introduction of oxygen. Chemical analysis showed that deposition under an oxygen atmosphere resulted in substantial reduction of oxygen vacancies, with a corresponding incorporation of chemisorbed species. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.